Suburban report.

Square-footage Rules Subject Of Agreement

May 28, 2000|By Cheryl Meyer.

LAKEWOOD — Developers of the Brighton Oaks subdivision near Ballard and Haligus Roads in Lakewood have reached an agreement with village trustees that will allow for homes that deviate from the village's square-footage requirements.

Developer Ray Ulreich first appeared before the board in February after learning a proposed home for the development did not meet minimum square-footage requirements.

Ulreich said at that time he believed the 1995 approval of the planned-unit development included an agreement that homes could be between 300 and 600 square feet smaller than the zoning code mandated.

While trustees said all two-story homes must meet the 2,800-square-foot minimum size for the village, they acknowledged that the developer did receive permission for some of the homes to be proportioned differently.

Lakewood's code states that at least 1,800 square feet of a home be located on the first level. Of the 126 homes to be built, half can deviate from the square-footage law and include between 1,500 and 1,550 square feet of living space on the first level. Some of the ranch-style homes will consist of a total of 2,400 square feet.

To make some homes look larger, the agreement includes a stipulation that 101 of the homes must have three-car garages.

Trustees also gave their preliminary approval to a revised plan for entrances to the project's third phase of 62 homes. The change moves one of two entrances from Ballard Road to Elm Avenue to accommodate wetland concerns.